Reid Secures Defense Verdict for Nursing Home Charged with Negligence

Johnson & Bell Shareholder, Lynn M. Reid, obtained a verdict in favor of a nursing home client in a trial in McHenry County, Illinois. The case represents one of the few Nursing Home Care Act cases in Illinois that has proceeded to trial in recent years and resulted in a defense verdict. In this matter, the plaintiff alleged negligence and violation of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act by the defendant nursing home. The plaintiff’s decedent suffered a hip fracture as a result of a fall from a chair at the nursing home. The defense argued that the plaintiff’s decedent was properly supervised and that the fall was unpredictable. The plaintiff requested a minimum of $200,000 in damages. If a verdict had been entered in favor of the plaintiff, she would have been entitled to recover her attorney’s fees and costs under the Act, and these were estimated to total an additional $150,000. After a five-day trial, the jury found in favor of the nursing home and found no violation of the Act.

A registered nurse, Ms. Reid is a litigator with an emphasis on medical and nursing malpractice. She has defended hospitals, nursing homes, physicians and other providers in negligence claims. She has also counseled her health care clients on non-litigation issues relating to policies and procedures, statutory issues, risk management concerns and other non-litigation matters.

Clients rely on Johnson & Bell to defend their interests in court. We accomplish their objectives by providing efficient, effective and creative legal counsel. For nearly 40 years, we have represented companies from a range of business sectors, including manufacturing, chemicals, transportation, drug stores, real estate, banking, insurance, trucking, health care, accounting, law, consulting, construction, hospitality and retail, as well as local, city and state governments and municipalities. These clients trust Johnson & Bell to deliver viable solutions to their business challenges. We are proud of the results we have delivered on their behalf.